Vermont Sales Tax Guide

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The need to collect sales tax in Vermont is predicated upon having a physical connection with the state. This is a concept known as nexus. Nexus is a latin word that means "to bind or tie" and it stands as the deciding factor for whether the Vermont Department of Taxes has the legal authority to require your business to collect, file, and remit sales tax. The two main principles most closely linked to nexus and taxes (especially multistate sales tax) are the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Commerce Clause, Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Sales tax nexus in Vermont can be triggered by a number of factors. The most common include having a physical location (office, warehouse, plant, etc.) within the state, having employees within the state, or conducting marketing activities within the state.

More recently, internet commerce has sparked debate over what activities can trigger nexus and where sales tax should be collected. For example, Fulfillment by Amazon merchants may find their products stored in Amazon warehouses across the country. This presence of physical goods in a state may trigger nexus and expands the complexity of managing sales tax compliance.

At this time, there are no active Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses in Vermont.

Click-through nexus in Vermont constitutes a situation in which a seller outside Vermont makes a sale to a resident of the state that is initiated through online contact with a 3rd party. Working with an affiliate marketer is a common example of a way in which click-through nexus may be triggered.

Vermont does have click-through nexus. If you are selling taxable goods to Vermont residents via affiliate marketers who are residents of the state, we recommend you work with a tax professional to determine whether you have triggered Vermont nexus.